During one week, the participants have been actively involved in
interactive training organized under the auspices of the WTO Institute for
Training and Technical Co-operation with the active co-operation of the
Secretariat of the Appellate Body and the Legal Affairs Division.

The course started with an introduction to the WTO with a particular focus
placed on the role and the functioning of the Dispute Settlement mechanism
in the rule-based multilateral trading system. For the first time in the
history of the WTO, panel hearings were opened to the public during the same
week and participants were invited to attend part of the hearings. This
provided an excellent opportunity for the participants to get acquainted
with how the mechanism works. The training activities continued with an
overview of the rules, procedures and functioning of the Dispute Settlement
mechanism. Participants were then rapidly engaged in a simulation exercise
which allowed them to develop practical knowledge and skills throughout the
various steps of the WTO dispute settlement procedures. An update on recent
developments in the area of dispute settlement as well as on the current
review of the Dispute Settlement Understanding concluded the training
programme.

All participants from least-developed countries and a number of developing
countries' representatives were financed out of the WTO regular budget.
These courses are organized pursuant to the mandate given to the Secretariat
by Art. 27.3 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes, which foresees that training shall be provided to
interested WTO Members. This course was held in English. A similar course
will also be organized in November.